The city hereby adopts the Rabies Control Act of 1981 (Texas Health and Safety Code, chapter 826) as amended, and the standards established by the state as minimum standards for rabies control and quarantine provisions within the city. In addition thereto, all of the rabies control provisions of this chapter, which are adopted pursuant to sections 826.015 and 826.033 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, shall have application within the city. A copy of the statute may be obtained from the animal control officer.
(Ordinance 695-01 adopted 3/5/01)
The animal control officer shall act as the local rabies control authority for the purposes of this article and enforcing the provisions of chapter 826 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
(Ordinance 695-01 adopted 3/5/01)
(a) 
The animal control facility or city animal control officer shall annually register and issue identification tags, to any person living in the city who owns or possesses a dog or cat requiring vaccination to prevent rabies. Said issuance will be for the purpose of owner identification in cases where a dog or cat has bitten, scratched, attacked or injured a human being or another animal and in cases where the dog or cat might become impounded, lost or injured.
(b) 
Application for the identification tag must be made annually, by the owner, in writing or in person, and be accompanied by proof that the dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies within the preceding year. If there is a change in ownership, the new owner shall have the identification tag transferred to his or her name within ten (10) days after taking possession of the dog or cat. There shall be no charge for a transfer, which application for transfer shall be made to animal control in writing or in person.
(c) 
No owner shall have within the city any dog or cat four (4) months of age or older unless such dog or cat is currently registered with animal control. A current metal registration certificate issued by animal control, or a veterinarian authorized by animal control to issue the certificate, must be affixed to a collar or harness that must be worn by the dog or cat all times. No dog or cat shall be registered until it has a current vaccination.
(d) 
Application for initial issuance or renewal of each registration must be made by the owner in writing or in person and must be accompanied by a fee for each unspayed or unneutered animal as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code. If the animal has been sterilized by a licensed veterinarian, and proof is submitted to animal control, a fee as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code will be charged.
(e) 
Registration certificates shall be renewed annually. The registration period will be from January 1 to December 31. Certificates for the new period shall be available for sale at least 30 days in advance and shall constitute a valid registration upon issuance.
(f) 
Registration and/or vaccination certificates (and tags) shall be valid only for the animal for which the certificate or tag was originally issued.
(g) 
Fee-exempt registrations may be issued for the following:
(1) 
Police or sheriff’s department dogs; and
(2) 
Dogs specially trained or equipped to help a “handicapped person,” as defined in V.T.C.A., Human Resources Code, section 121.002(4).
(h) 
Veterinarians authorized by animal control to issue animal registration certificates may retain $1.00 of the registration fee for every animal registered in accordance with this chapter.
(i) 
Registration tags shall be securely attached to the collar or harness of the dog or cat and worn at all times by the animal. Tags will be valid only for the animal for which the tag was originally issued.
(j) 
Owners claiming any impounded dog or cat, four (4) months of age or older, will be required to provide the city with proof of current rabies vaccination. If no proof is presented then said dog or cat will be required to receive a rabies vaccination from the animal control facility. At said time, a city identification tag will be issued and notification made to the city animal control officer.
(Ordinance 695-01 adopted 3/5/01)
An identification tag may not be issued for an animal that has not been vaccinated against rabies within the preceding year. The identification tag shall be valid for the length of time the rabies vaccination is valid.
(Ordinance 695-01 adopted 3/5/01)
The city animal control officer shall register and issue wild or exotic animal permits consistent and in accordance with the applicable provisions of article 2.08. Said issuance will be for the purpose of owner identification in cases where an animal has bitten, scratched, attacked or injured a human being or another animal and in cases where the animal might become impounded, lost or injured. In cases where international, federal or state licenses and/or permits are required, the owner of the wild or exotic animal shall also obtain a wild or exotic animal permit from the city. No permits will be issued for the purpose of keeping any wild or prohibited animal as a pet.
(Ordinance 695-01 adopted 3/5/01)
Each dog which has received protection or guard dog training and is kept in the city must be registered as a guard dog with animal control annually. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person who keeps or allows any such dog to be kept upon his premises to fail or refuse to present proof to the city enforcement agent, upon request, that such dog has been registered as a guard dog within the preceding 12-month period. The city enforcement agent shall issue a permit to each qualifying dog. Such permit and tag shall be valid for a period of 12 months and are not transferable to any other animal. The registration tag shall be prominently displayed on the dog at all times by securely affixing it to a properly fitted collar, harness, or similar device worn by the dog. The tag and permit can only be issued provided the owner first presents proof that the dog is currently vaccinated against rabies. No fee shall be required for the issuance of a guard dog permit as provided herein.
(Ordinance 695-01 adopted 3/5/01)